Ways & Means
With its broad jurisdiction, the Ways and Means Committee impacts our pocketbooks, and in turn, nearly every aspect of our daily lives. The countries where Nebraskans can buy and sell goods, the taxes we pay, and the Social Security benefits some may receive are just a handful of the topics which fall under the committee's influence.
Learn more about how the Committee on Ways and Means impacts you by visiting the links below.
More on Ways & Means
Washington, DC – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) issued the following statement after House passage of H.R. 6156, the Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal and Sergei Magnitsky Rule of Law Accountability Act of 2012:
Washington, DC – The U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement enters into force today, marking the completion of the three U.S. trade agreements enacted in 2011. Trade promotion agreements with Colombia and South Korea took effect earlier in 2012. Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) issued the following statement:
“The three trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea are now in effect, bringing mutual economic benefits and expanding export opportunities for Nebraska goods, crops and products.
The successful 1996 welfare reform law passed by a Republican Congress and signed by President Bill Clinton is a model of bipartisan cooperation and a rare example of divided government achieving a major accomplishment. The law created the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) block grant program, providing states funds for welfare checks, but also contains strong work requirements to help recipients find and keep jobs rather than become dependent on government aid.
Washington, DC – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) issued the following statement today after a markup of H.J.Res. 118 by the House Committee on Ways and Means:
Washington, DC – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) has announced two tax reform roundtable discussions to hear from constituents and answer questions about the current tax code and proposals for reform. Smith serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means which has jurisdiction over tax policy and will lead efforts for comprehensive tax reform in 2013.
Washington, DC – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) led a bipartisan letter with Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) urging U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to ensure the strongest possible sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to promote American agricultural exports across the Asia-Pacific region.
Current tax rates are set to expire at the end of the year, resulting in the largest tax increase in American history. This economic calamity, known as “Taxmegeddon” or the “Fiscal Cliff,” could not come at a worse time for taxpayers.
The latest economic data confirms unacceptably low levels of growth, and the national unemployment rate has remained above 8 percent for 42 months in a row. The non-partisan Congressional Budget Office found failing to prevent this fiscal cliff would result in a recession in early 2013.
Washington, DC – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) issued the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 8, which would prevent the largest tax hike in American history when the current rates expire at the end of the year. Tomorrow, the House is expected to pass H.R. 6169, which would provide an expedited process for comprehensive tax reform in 2013. Congressman Smith, a member of the Committee on Ways and Means charged with rewriting the tax code, is an original co-sponsor of both bills.
America’s relationship with Russia is complex. Russia is currently the world’s ninth largest economy and growing. In 2011 alone, Nebraska exported $154 million worth of goods to Russia, which directly supported an estimated 560 jobs here at home. However, I and many others remain concerned regarding Russia’s recent behavior and trading policies.